An exploratory study of Chilean early childhood teachers' professional learning communities.

Researchshows that Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) foster teachers'professional learning. However, there is little knowledge about theirimplementation among early childhood (EC) teachers in Chilean andLatin American contexts. This article seeks to characterize two PLCscomposed of EC teachers and to analyse, from the participants'perspectives, the experience as a professional learning process. Froma qualitative perspective, a multiple case study was developed. 27 ECteachers participated, 12 from PLC 1 and 15 from PLC 2. Datacollection included nonparticipant observations, interviews and focusgroups. Data were analysed by an open coding process based ongrounded theory. The results show that each PLC highlighted differentaspects related to pedagogical practice, self-care practice, trustand close relationships, and institutional validation. From theteachers' perspective, PLCs contribute to professional learning, interms of fostering complex and critical reflective practice, andcollaborative conceptual learning that promotes not only knowledgeacquisition and construction but is also empowering for teachers.Practical and investigative implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]